Holiday Events in Calgary You Still Have Time to Enjoy in 2018
Christmas and Boxing Day are just around the bend, and New Years will soon follow. As we tick down the clock on the holiday season, you might find that between all of your holiday shopping, activities for the kids, travel logistics, etc, you may not quite be feeling the festive spirit of the season. Luckily, If you live in, or are visiting Calgary between now and the New Year, there are some great holiday events and attractions to get you into the holiday vibe.
Read on to learn about some of the great holiday events that you can experience in Calgary between now and New Years.
Lions Club Festival of Lights
Hosted by the Calgary Lions Club, this annual light show consists of a staggering 450,000+ bulbs on 16,000 strings, making it the largest free Christmas lights showcase in all of Calgary.
Designed by James Alafriz, Creative Intelligence Agency, and made possible by a variety of collaborators, volunteers, and sponsors, this staggering light display is sure to wake up the Christmas nostalgia within even the scroogiest among us. Check out the festival of lights at Confederation Park 905 30th Avenue NW between 5 pm – 12 am every day from now until Jan 8th.
Granary Road Christmas Market
Bring the family and come on down to Granary Road for the Christmas Market. Find that perfect gift from one of 50+ unique vendors. Join us for fire pits, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, wagon rides, ice skating, or even meet Santa and His Jolly wife for a photo op.
The Granary Road Christmas Market is open on Fridays from 11 am – 7 pm, Saturdays & Sundays from 9:30 am – 5:30 until December 23rd. Located at 226066 112 Street W, Foothills.
Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
Experience the joyous wonders of Christmas past at Heritage Park in Calgary. Enjoy a festive wagon ride, join along in carols and visit with the big guy in the red suit. At Once Upon A Christmas you can immerse yourself in old-fashioned Christmas fun as some of the local historical homes and buildings open their doors to share their Yuletide traditions.
Check out the rustic and old-timey holiday fun every Saturday and Sunday until Dec 23rd from 9:30 am – 4 pm. Located at 1900 Heritage Drive SW.
Zoolights at The Calgary Zoo
The magic of the holidays comes to life at the Calgary Zoo. Open nightly from 6 pm – 9 pm, and running through January 5th, this year’s Zoolights installation boasts over 2 million lights, 200+ festive displays, crackling fire pits, and fun-filled activity zones.
Zoolights offers fun for the whole family, that is affordable without breaking the budget. Pack a thermos of cocoa, put on your worst sweater, and head on over to the Calgary Zoo for Zoolights.
A Perfectly Frank Christmas
Join the Calgary Jazz Orchestra with Johnny Summers at River Park Church on Sunday, December 23rd at 3 pm and 7 pm for A Perfectly Frank Christmas, an evening of holiday music, and tunes made famous by the great Frank Sinatra. This event is perfect for the whole family. Entry for Students is $27.50 and for Adults $36.50. River Park Church is located at 3818 14a Street SW.
New Years Eve
Come on down to Olympic Plaza on New Year’s Eve for an evening of family-friendly fun. The City of Calgary and the new Central Library are hosting this wonderful event, complete with storytelling, ice skating, a kids dance party and plenty of other wholesome fun. Best of all, it’s totally free!
The Tim Horton’s truck will also be handing out free hot beverages to keep attendees nice and warm. Stick around for the fireworks at midnight and ring in the New Year with an outing that the whole family can enjoy. Located at 228 8 Ave SE.
If we missed any great 2018 holiday events in Calgary, leave us a comment and let us know! Hope to see you all around town! Happy Holidays!